New releases for 8 June 2018

This week’s happy hexad opens with No Shame, a return to form for Lily Allen, a candid account of the breakdown of her marriage, depression, loneliness and fears about her children. The first of two debuts this week is the eagerly awaited Lost & Found, full of street-smart R&B sung in Jorja Smith’s classic voice – we think this one’s going to be big! Boy Azooga also debut with, 1, 2, Kung Fu!, a shape-shifting musical mystery tour that swings smoothly from filmic instrumentals to a churning rave-tinged rock that recalls Can and Happy Mondays. Country superstar Dierks Bentley shows progression on The Mountain, a subtle album that’s more than just standard Nashville fare, the album he has long wanted to make. This week’s ration of the riffy stuff comes in the form of A Dying Machine, a showcase for Tremonti’s brand of anthemic choruses, punishing riffs and fiery guitar solos.

Our album of the week is Gruff Rhys’s best record to date: Babelsberg, a ten-song gazetteer of modern times, set to timeless, indelible melodies backed by the 72-piece BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Amazingly, for a collection of songs written over two years ago, each one seems to pull very sharp focus on the times we’re living in.

Click an image for more details and to order your copy. Look out for our special low pre-sale prices in red – order early so you don’t miss them!